The science of legislation is like that of medicine in one respect: that it is far more easy to point out what will do harm than what will do good.

Vanity finds in self-love so powerful an ally that it storms, as it were, by a coup de main,, the citadel of our heads, where, having blinded the two watchmen, it readily descends into the heart.

War kills men, and men deplore the loss; but war also crushes bad principles and tyrants, and so saves societies.

Pride is less ashamed of being ignorant, than of being instructed, and she looks too high to find that, which very often lies beneath her.

There are two way of establishing a reputation, one to be praised by honest people and the other to be accused by rogues. It is best, however, to secure the first one, because it will always be accompanied by the latter.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty; it is a blessing that must be earned before it can be enjoyed.

Death is like thunder in two particulars; we are alarmed, at the sound of it; and it is formidable only from that which preceded it.